Sometime ago, I’d reviewed a keyboard/case combo from ZAGG – the ZAGGmate – for my iPad 1. Thanks to its slick and slim design, along with the capable bluetooth keyboard, it became a constant companion whenever I traveled with the iPad. The one downside was that the tablet’s back was left exposed to potential drops and falls – a trade-off for its sexy form factor. So as an alternative, ZAGG introduced the ZAGGfolio, a folio-styled case that not only houses a much improved keyboard, but also offers front and rear protection for the iPad when closed.

Seeing how I’d become quite reliant on the ZAGGmate, I was eager to pick up a case with similar functionality for my new iPad. And now that I’ve had 3 weeks of hands-on time with the ZAGGfolio, I’ve once again found myself growing very fond of this combo case, thanks in large part to the drastically improved typing experience offered over its predecessor.

ZAGG, makers of the popular invisibleShields and ZAGGmate case/keyboard accessory, is now taking pre-orders for their new ZAGGkeys SOLO iPad Keyboard. The SOLO, as the name implies, is essentially the keyboard piece found in the recently released ZAGGfolio. Priced at $69.99 instead of $99 for the added protection of the carbon fiber design found in the folio, the standalone bluetooth keyboard is sleek, lightweight and made to accompany not just the iPad, but a number of other tablets as well. It’s compatible with the HTC Flyer, Samsung Galaxy 10.1, Motorola Zoom, Asus Eee Pad and more, though the experience will differ depending on whether you use these other tablets in the portrait or landscape modes.

You can pre-order the SOLO Keyboard on ZAGG’s website, and the estimated shipment date is today, August 10th. Video of the ZAGGfolio (the SOLO can be seen when it’s removed from the case) and more product screenshots after the gap.